How to cook pasta

If you’ve been put off pasta by stodgy, stuck-together school dinners, it’s time to learn how to cook it properly. In Italy, pasta is always served ‘al-dente’, which literally means ‘to the teeth’ – boiled until softened, but still firm to the bite. To achieve this, fill a pan with double the water to cover the pasta, add salt to taste, and bring it to the boil. Carefully drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook for 10-12 minutes, making sure to stir within the first two minutes of cooking to prevent sticking. Bear in mind that different pasta shapes will have different cooking times, and fresh egg pasta will cook much quicker than dried.

Method

1. Cook pasta following pack instructions. Drain, reserving a few tablespoons of water in the bottom of the pan.
2. Return the pasta to the pan over a low heat, stir in the olive oil and garlic and allow to infuse for 1 min. Toss through the remaining ingredients, season and serve.

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